Frw 1.7 billion invested in agricultural and livestock insurance
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the Government of Rwanda invested approximately Frw 1.7 billion to support agricultural and livestock insurance, a strategic move aimed at helping farmers and livestock keepers mitigate risks related to climate change and unexpected shocks.
This funding supported the implementation of the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS), locally known as “Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi”, launched in 2019. The scheme’s primary objective is to protect the livelihoods of farmers and herders by offering insurance coverage for both crops and animals.
Under this program, the government covers 40% of the insurance premium, while the farmer or livestock keeper pays the remaining 60%. Since its inception, the scheme has facilitated agricultural and livestock insurance worth Frw 4 billion. Out of this, Frw 2.5 million has already been paid out to farmers who suffered losses.
During the 2023/2024 period alone, the government’s investment enabled insurance coverage for 51,231 cows, 214,499 chickens, and 8,453 pigs. On the crop side, insured farmland included 24,636 hectares of rice, 5,690 hectares of maize, 1,738 hectares of potatoes, 176 hectares of chili, 784 hectares of beans, 558 hectares of soybeans, 43 hectares of cassava, and 368 hectares of green peas.
To boost agricultural productivity, the government also invested heavily in modern irrigation systems. A total of 72,913 hectares of farmland were brought under irrigation, representing 71% of the national target under the fourth phase of the Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 4).
Additionally, to combat soil erosion and improve water retention, 1,173,601 hectares of hillsides were developed with progressive terracing techniques.
Looking ahead, under its National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the Government of Rwanda plans to invest a further $25 million (approximately Frw 33.8 billion) to expand and strengthen the agricultural and livestock insurance program ensuring broader protection for the nation’s farming communities.
